Menstrual back pain can be an occasional or regular monthly occurrence for many women. Dysmenorrhea is the medical term for the muscular cramps that can cause abdominal and back pain during the menstrual cycle. Muscular back pain caused by menstruation is not serious and will go away in a few days. However, during menstruation, back pain can be a yet another very uncomfortable symptom to endure.
This article will help clarify why pain occurs during the monthly menstrual period and how to best cope with it without relying on dangerous and toxic drug therapies.
Symptoms of Menstrual Back Pain
Besides painful cramps and soreness in the abdomen, lower back and upper thighs, menstruation can produce many other possible symptoms:
Headaches, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, digestive problems and emotional sensitivity are all common side effects of menstruation. Some women display sweeping mood changes and rapidly changing emotional states, in addition to back pain during their period.
Symptoms may be similar every month or may change month-to -month. Severity of symptoms might also be variable within the same cycle or cycle to cycle. Most women report the worst pain at the onset of their period or just before, but this is not an absolute rule.
Causes of Menstruation Back Pain
Back muscle pain can be caused by the same hormonal changes that cause abdominal cramping during the period. Chemicals called prostaglandins are responsible for promoting uterine contractions during menstruation. These same chemicals can cause havoc throughout the body and especially in the lower back muscles.
Myositis conditions can be much worse in women who also suffer from hormonally-induced premenstrual syndrome. The chemistry occurring in a woman’s body can cause physical and emotional symptoms for up to 2 weeks every month in some cases.
Relief from Back Pain During Your Period
There are prescription drugs and hormonal therapies available to help women with severe painful symptoms. However, I would recommend avoiding these unless your symptoms are truly out of control. The side effects and health risks are just too great to justify their use for mild back ache during menstruation. Most women will be better served using OTC pain relief instead. Midol or Advil are indicated as popular remedies for cramping and pain.
Believe it or not, one of the best treatments is water. Much of the discomfort that women suffer during their period comes from dehydration. This is exacerbated by some women losing their appetite for food and drink during their menstruation. Make sure to drink lots of water and you might be surprised at the positive results you will experience.
Menstrual Back Pain Help
I understand that this monthly ordeal can be uncomfortable and annoying. In the majority of cases, the pain is not serious. Just relax and let your body do what it does naturally. Take time for yourself to unwind and do something you enjoy. This positive mental state will help to balance out the physical changes and discomfort. Remember that your emotional state may be influenced by your period, so use caution when making judgments or getting involved in highly-charged situations.
If your symptoms are severe, meet with your doctor or gynecologist to discuss treatment options, but be sure to discuss the downside to any recommended therapy modality.
